Baseball analytics experts say RBI are not a true measure of a player’s worth to his team. That should be some comfort to Indians fans, because producers of 354 runs batted in for the Tribe in 2018 have scattered across the country in the past two months.

Edwin Encarnacion (107 RBI) was traded to the Mariners. Yonder Alonso (83) was traded to the White Sox. Yan Gomes (48) was traded to the Nationals. Infielder Erik Gonzalez (16) was traded to the Pirates and Yandy Diaz (15) was traded to the Rays. Michael Brantley (76) signed with the Astros in free agency. Lonnie Chisenhall (nine), limited to 29 games last season because of calf injuries, signed with the Pirates in free agency.

The long list does not include third baseman Josh Donaldson (seven RBI) because Donaldson was acquired as a rental from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 31 for a playoff push.

Brandon Guyer (27 RBI in 103 games) is a free agent and is not on the list.

First baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana (86 RBI) was acquired from Seattle in the Encarnacion trade. Outfielder/first baseman Jake Bauers (48) was acquired from the Rays.

Early in November, the Indians shipped versatile Gonzalez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Jordan Luplow. Luplow had 92 at bats with the Pirates in 2018, batting .194 with three home runs and seven RBI.

Analytics experts aren’t big on RBI as a measuring tool because they conclude the RBI total is a product of the player’s environment and where he hits in the order. Encarnacion had the benefit of hitting cleanup in most games with Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez hitting in front of him, so naturally his RBI total is going to be high.

But just because a player’s RBI total doesn’t measure his true value doesn’t mean manager Terry Francona can plug anybody into the cleanup spot and count on that player, perhaps Santana, driving in 100 runs. Lindor hit leadoff in 2018 and managed to drive in 92 runs.

Indians president Chris Antonetti is trying to cut salary because of the storm brewing. Lindor is projected to earn $10.2 million in 2019 – his first year of arbitration eligibility – after making $623,200 last season. Trevor Bauer, also arbitration eligible, is expected to get a $5 million salary bump to $11.6 million. He made $6.25 million last year.

Starting pitcher Corey Kluber, 20-7 in 2018, is set to make $17 million after making $10 million last season. He has been mentioned in trade rumors for more than a month, but for now is still with the Indians.

Fans expect owner Paul Dolan to just open up his wallet and spend, spend, spend. That isn’t realistic. The Indians have to find ways to pay for the salary increases due some players and the easiest way to do that is move others.

But Antonetti and Francona also have to find players to drive in runs – even if a guy with a laptop says that stat isn’t important.

I didn't know that ...

… Until I read my Snapple bottle cap

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